Fiat Chrysler Recalls Almost 1.3 Million Trucks, Cites One Death 'Potentially' Linked To Defect

2015 Ram 1500 on the assembly line in Warren, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images)

By Christopher Jensen

After learning of two injuries and a death “potentially” related to a malfunctioning safety sensor, Fiat Chrysler is recalling 1 million pickups in the United States, according to a report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The automaker said a “significant underbody impact” could trick a computer into concluding that a sensor has malfunctioned. That would disable two safety features seen as crucial in preventing injuries in rollover accidents.

One is the seat belt pre-tensioner, which automatically tighten the seat belt to snugly hold an occupant.

The other are the air bags that cover the side windows and are designed to provide head protection and help keep occupants inside the vehicle.

Fiat Chrysler said if there was a failure a warning light would be illuminated. The automaker said until the vehicles get a software upgrade, the problem could be temporarily fixed by turning the ignition to “off,” and then to “on/run.” If the warning light goes off the system is working again.

In its chronology report the automaker told federal regulators that it learned of a possible problem in December when it was informed of a lawsuit involving a rollover accident in which neither the airbags nor the pre-tensioners worked.

A chronology report did not provide detail on injuries or death it described as “potentially related to this issue.”

The automaker described the recall as “voluntary” but under federal safety regulations once an automaker is aware of a safety problem it must, within five business days, inform the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or face civil fines.

An additional 216,000 vehicles are being recalled in Canada as well as almost 22,000 in Mexico and almost 22,000 outside North America.